Photo: MileSplit Kansas
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In the penultimate week of competition, athletes across the state put together strong showings as they competed for a spot at this weekend's 2026 KSHSAA State Track & Field Championships.
Check out 10 of the state's top performers from Regional Championship weekend!
Maria Portela (Blue Valley, 2027):
Sweeping the sprints at the KSHSAA 5A & 6A Regional in Overland Park, Portela won the 100m, 200m, and 400m, running 11.59, 23.94, and 58.30. Portela, who has been nearly unbeatable this spring, is chasing the sprint trio in her penultimate state championships.
Christian Hartman-Babb (Washburn Rural, 2027):
Both sprint titles at the KSHSAA 6A Regional at Washburn Rural went to Hartman-Babb, who ran 10.36 in the 100m and 21.83 in the 200m, picking up a pair of tickets to state on his home track.
Ava Claasen (Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 2028):
The best distance runner in the state this year won the 1600m in 4:58.06 and the 3200m in 10:35.25 at the KSHSAA 5A Regional at Topeka West, and posted the top marks in both distance events among all girls in Kansas last week.
Logan Clay (Wichita Collegiate, 2027):
Clay's 193-11 in the discus in Cheney led all boys in Kansas last week by more than 14 feet, and he remains the top discus thrower in the state and one of the best in the country.
Sienna Wesley (Olathe North, 2027)
The top long jump among all girls in Kansas last week belonged to Wesley, whose 19-9 at the 6A Regional hosted by Olathe North came alongside a 24.92 in the 200m and a 12.32 in the 100m. The junior won the long jump and 200m, and finished runner-up over 100m to punch her ticket in three individual events.
Cade Zimmerman (Olathe West, 2026):
A 204-0 in the javelin at the at Olathe North's regional led all boys in Kansas last week in that event and ranked among the top marks in the state this season. He ranks No. 4 in the state and No. 2 in 6A heading to Wichita.
Kaelyn Boss (Osage City, 2028):
Leading all girls in Kansas last week in the discus at 146-5 at the KSHSAA 3A Regional in Osage City, Boss added a 131-7 in the javelin and a 38-9.35 in the shot put to win all three titles.
Shinji Pollard (Kansas City Piper, 2026):
Both hurdles titles at the 5A Regional in De Soto went to Pollard, who went 13.81 in the 110mHand 38.71 in the 300mH, the fastest marks in both events last week.
Dru Zeka (Wellington, 2027):
Winning the high jump at 5-8, the long jump at 18-11.25, and the 100mHat 14.93 at the in Andale, Zeka put together the strongest individual multi-event showing among all girls at any regional meet last week and is looking to put up a lot of points this weekend.
Ryan Hartz (Olathe East, 2028):
The fastest 400m among all boys in Kansas last week belonged to Hartz, whose 48.17 at the KSHSAA 6A Regional in Olathe North stood as one of the top marks in that event by any underclassman in the state this season. The sophomore continues to inch closer to the 48-second barrier, and he's not far off.
